Accomplished Registered Nurse with a proven track record at Wake Medical Health And Hospitals, enhancing patient satisfaction through compassionate care and rigorous medication administration protocols. Expert in patient education and clinical judgment, significantly reducing hospital-acquired infections. Skilled in leading teams and fostering patient and family advocacy, demonstrating exceptional bedside manner and problem-solving abilities.
Hi, I’m
Latasha Smith
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Overview
18
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Wake Medical Health And Hospitals
Register Nurse
08.2006 - 03.2024
Job overview
- Performed accurate documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in compliance with regulatory standards.
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Performed routine wound care and dressing changes on schedule.
- Promoted a safe and comfortable healing environment by addressing patient concerns promptly and professionally.
- Remained calm during high-stress, critical situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Educated patients on disease management, self-care techniques, and wellness strategies to improve long-term health outcomes.
- Assessed patients to determine individual needs and develop care plans in coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
- Improved patient satisfaction ratings by delivering compassionate and personalized care.
- Implemented infection control measures that significantly reduced hospital-acquired infections.
- Utilized strong clinical judgment in prioritizing patient needs during high-stress situations, ensuring optimal outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimized patient treatment plans and outcomes.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Mentored new nursing staff members, fostering teamwork and improving unit efficiency.
- Reduced medication errors through thorough double-checking of prescriptions and dosages.
- Helped patients eat and drink when necessary for safe consumption of food consistent with recovery guidelines.
- Followed proper procedure for installation and removal of catheters, IVs, and PIC lines.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on emerging trends in nursing practice to enhance effectiveness in delivering quality care.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Assisted physicians in performing diagnostic tests and procedures to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Documented nursing services provided and uploaded to comprehensive tracking systems for health records and billing.
- Increased quality of care by participating in ongoing professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, and online courses.
- Provided emotional support to patients'' family members during critical incidents, strengthening overall trust in the healthcare team.
- Consistently adhered to strict safety guidelines while administering medications or performing invasive procedures.
- Assisted patients in performance of routine recovery and mobility exercises, providing support when getting in and out of bed as well as walking and stretching.
- Streamlined communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive understanding of care plans.
- Came up with treatment plans and communicated with patients about options, medications and self-management.
- Met with and patients to discuss and distribute information on health maintenance and disease prevention.
- Educated patients and families on diagnosis, neurological conditions and processes, treatments and expected outcomes.
- Developed individualized care plans tailored to diverse patient populations with varied medical conditions.
- Protected confidentiality of information related to patient care activities and EMS operations.
- Identified and assisted with opportunities for performance improvement activities on unit and with other service areas.
- Evaluated charting procedures for adherence to best practices.
- Expedited discharge processes by coordinating with various departments for timely completion of required paperwork.
- Contributed to cost-saving initiatives by identifying areas for waste reduction without compromising patient care quality.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Audited charts and reviewed clinical documents to verify accuracy.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Managed quality care for patients with heart failure, end-stage renal disease and coronary artery disease.
Supplemental Health Care
Registered Nurse
09.2010 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Administered medications via oral, IV, and intramuscular injections and monitored responses.
- Utilized critical thinking skills to prioritize nursing interventions based on patients'' acuity levels and individual needs.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments to identify changes in condition, promptly notifying physicians and initiating appropriate interventions when necessary.
- Administered medications safely according to established guidelines while closely monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions requiring intervention.
- Managed care from admission to discharge.
- Collaborated with physicians to quickly assess patients and deliver appropriate treatment while managing rapidly changing conditions.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate, holistic nursing care that addressed physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Assisted in the training and mentorship of new nursing staff members, contributing to a positive work environment and high-quality patient care.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Prevented the spread of infections by consistently adhering to strict infection control protocols and educating patients on proper hygiene practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
- Implemented medication and IV administration, catheter insertion, and airway management.
- Provided direct patient care, stabilized patients, and determined next course of action.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Updated patient charts with data such as medications to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Served as a preceptor for nursing students during their clinical rotations, providing valuable real-world experience and guidance to foster professional growth.
- Skillfully managed challenging patient situations using de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention strategies, and therapeutic communication skills.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based nursing interventions and individualized care plans.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in nursing care and emerging trends in healthcare delivery.
- Evaluated healthcare needs, goals for treatment, and available resources of each patient and connected to optimal providers and care.
- Promoted a culture of safety within the healthcare facility by participating in quality improvement initiatives, identifying potential hazards, and advocating for best practices in nursing care delivery.
- Monitored patient condition by interpreting and tracking EKG readings, identifying irregular telemetry readings and updating team members on changes in stability or acuity.
- Organized and managed care of patients undergoing various therapies and procedures.
- Provided support for patients'' families during difficult medical decisions or end-of-life care, serving as a liaison between the healthcare team and loved ones.
- Advised patients and caregivers of proper wound management, discharge plan objectives, safe medication use, and disease management.
- Maintained quality care and comfort for patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions.
- Conferred with physicians to discuss diagnoses and devise well-coordinated treatment approaches.
- Advocated for patients by communicating care preferences to practitioners, verifying interventions met treatment goals and identifying insurance coverage limitations.
- Contributed to interdisciplinary team meetings by presenting relevant clinical data about patients'' progress toward reaching established goals of care.
- Reduced hospital readmissions through effective discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care coordination.
- Facilitated patient transitions between different levels of care, ensuring continuity of services and minimizing disruptions in treatment plans.
- Provided exceptional care to high-acute patients needing complex care such as ventilator management, extensive wound care and rehabilitation.
- Implemented evidence-based fall prevention strategies, resulting in a significant decrease in patient falls within the unit.
- Demonstrated expertise in wound management techniques resulting in accelerated healing times for patients with complex wounds or pressure injuries.
- Oversaw delivery of care for patients on medical-surgical unit, providing direct care, delegating nursing assignments and supervising team comprised of nurses, LPNs, technicians, and unit clerks.
Education
Chamberlain UniversityDowners Grove, IL
Master Of Science from Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
University Overview
Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-salem, NC
Bachelor Of Applied Science from Nursing
12.2014
University Overview
Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC
Associate Degree In Nursing from Nursing
05.2006
University Overview
Skills
- Medication Administration
- Medication and IV administration
- Direct Patient Care
- Patient Care
- Patient Assessment
- Clinical Documentation
- Patient Education
- Clinical judgment
- Patient Management
- Compassionate Care
- Family Education
- Healthcare ethics
- Licensed RN
- Health Promotion
- Wound Management
- Surgical care
- Care plan implementation
- Licensed by State nursing board
- Treatment Planning
- Patient Assessments
- Patient Monitoring
- Compassion and Empathy
- Taking vitals
- Collecting vitals
- Patient care planning
- Team Coordination
- Patient and family advocacy
- Wound Care
- IV setup
- Professional Bedside Manner
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Medication Distribution
- Care Planning
- Intake and discharge
- Care Plan Development
- Strong Clinical Judgment
- Intravenous therapy
- Patient Discharge
- Hospice and palliative care
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
Certification
Ultrasound IV Certified
BLS Certified
Stroke Certified
ACLs Certified
Timeline
Registered Nurse
Supplemental Health Care
09.2010 - 01.2023
Register Nurse
Wake Medical Health And Hospitals
08.2006 - 03.2024
Chamberlain University
Master Of Science from Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
Winston-Salem State University
Bachelor Of Applied Science from Nursing
Wake Technical Community College
Associate Degree In Nursing from Nursing
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